Brett Gardner Separating from the Pack

If there is a battle for who will start alongside Curtis Granderson and Nick Swisher in the Yankees 2010 outfield, the participants are so far making this an easy choice, in that Brett Gardner is the only one playing even decently. Gardner has thus far had the most at bats on the team this spring, so Girardi, like last spring, is giving Gardner every opportunity to prove himself. Gardner for his part has been solid, hitting .281 with a .361 OBP and a .767 OPS. The Yankees would be plenty happy with that kind of production from the speedy Gardner during the season as his tremendous speed makes up for his lack of power by generating hidden slugging. Plus, with Gardner in CF and Granderson in LF, as has been reported, the Yankees should feature their best defense in the OF in very, very long time.

As for the other participants, none have been able to do anything with their chances this spring. Marcus Thames, tied for fourth on the team with 28 at bats so far, is hitting just .107 with a .167 OBP and .274 OPS. Randy Winn, just 4 at bats behind, isn't doing much better with a .167 average, .200 OBP, and .367 OPS. Lastly, there's Rule V pickup Jamie Hoffman, who in 23 at bats has mustered just a .130 average, .259 OBP, .433 OPS, is the best of this group but may not be doing enough to distinguish himself from his veteran competition.

Figure that Winn, given his contract and being the more accomplished of the two veterans, despite a terrible last year, will win one of the two available spots, leaving Thames and Hoffman to fight for the final spot. Each bring different elements to the table. Thames, the former Yankees prospect, would bring proven right handed power off the bench and he's shown he can deliver power in a reserve role, hitting - he's twice hit at least 25 homeruns in less than 400 at bats, as well as 18 in less than 300 at bats, despite playing in a tough homerun park. Going against Thames is that he is a mostly one dimensional player, in that he is a weak fielder, won't hit for average, and won't get on base as evidenced by his lowly .306 career OBP. The on base figure in particular is distressing as poor on base percentage is one of the greatest sins in today's game (just ask Andre Dawson, who had to wait nine years to get into the Hall of Fame thanks to his low OBP).

Hoffman, on the other hand, is a younger, more athletic player, who has a great defensive reputation and can add speed to the bench as well. For a player that will likely be seldom used, Hoffman may better fit the bill as he will offer Girardi more options than Thames. Also going for Hoffman is the fact that the Yankees would like to get some return for trading away Brian Bruney (who was traded to the Nationals for the Rule V pick that netted Hoffman), and if they don't keep Hoffman on the Major League roster, they'll likely lose him. However, he is unproven, with just 24 Major League plate appearances to his credit, and is an unknown offensively (though did improve noticeably his last few years in the minors). Also going against him is the fact that in many ways, he's just a younger version of Randy Winn, in that he could would add OF defense and speed to the bench, but without Winn's offensive track record in the Majors (last year aside), and thus Winn paired with Thames could offer Girardi more variety.

What this all says is that it will be a tough choice, particularly with no one stepping up. However, all things considered, Thames might be the safer bet, in that his power, especially from the right side, will add an element the Yankees do not already have. Hoffman, on the other hand, was rendered somewhat redundant by the signing of Winn. Plus, if Winn hits like he did last year (just a 75 OPS+), coupled with Hoffman being an unknown offensively, the Yankees could be left with little reserve offense if both are kept.